ROME — Italy is kicking off its fourth annual conference on rebuilding Ukraine, gathering political and business leaders to forge public-private partnerships in defense, energy, and more, all while Russia intensifies its attacks.
Premier Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are leading the discussions, which come as Kyiv faces relentless missile and drone strikes.
With 100 official delegations and 2,000 businesses attending, the event features a trade fair at Rome’s innovative “Cloud” conference center. The goal? To connect international investors with Ukrainian partners, aiming to not only rebuild but modernize Ukraine and prepare it for EU membership.
While the war rages on, experts stress the urgency of reconstruction. “It may seem counterintuitive to discuss rebuilding now, but it’s a priority,” says Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti from ISPI. This year’s conference focuses on specific sectors like energy and mining, moving beyond general talk to practical workshops and targeted discussions.
As global leaders converge in Rome, including heads of state from Germany and Poland, the future of Ukraine’s recovery hinges on sustained international support and a coordinated effort to counter Russian aggression.
